Rainbow Stripes

six

"Hollie, I think I like him."

Holland and Emma were lying on their backs on Emma's bed, long after school had ended, and Emma was desperate for a girl-to-girl.

"So? He's a really likeable guy." Hollie replied nonchalantly. 

"No, I mean I like like him."

Hollie's eyes widened like saucers. She straightened up so quick Emma pushed herself back, away from her. She was gaping at Emma as if she had just sprung antlers from her head.

"And now you realize the seriousness of the situation." Emma sighed.

"You like him." Hollie said.

"Hollie, I think I already said that."

"Oh God, you actually like a boy." 

Emma rolled her eyes, but Hollie continued, "All those double dates and crazy stunts I've pulled to get you to look twice at a boy. Are you seriously telling me Noah is the guy?"

"Well, I'm not sure if he's the one, you know. But I like him. What do I do?"

"Him," Hollie retorted.

Emma slapped her chest and Holland circled her arms around them to protect herself. "Not the boobs, you bitch."

"Don't stay stuff like that, then." Emma fired back. 

"Oh, is our little virgin Emma blushing?" Holland cooed. Emma punched her in her stomach. 

"Oomph. Man, you are so hard to kid with. Geez. And what's wrong with what I suggested? It's literally the best reaction one should have to a situation like this." She continued despite the hard glare that Emma was giving her. "It's not like it's a one-sided thing, ya know. I mean, it's so obvious that he has a crush on you." 

Now that stumped Emma. Her glare morphed into a look of confusion. She knew he has shown signs of interests, one most boys show when they're around girls they like, but the fact that her feelings could be reciprocated was leaving her confounded.  

"How do you know that?" She inquired. 

Hollie raised an eyebrow. "He's literally looking at you all the time when you aren't looking back. It's actually adorable." She gushed, swiping a fake tear off her cheek. Emma rolled her eyes again. 

"Well, that doesn't matter, because it's pointless. I'm going off to college in eight months. It's stupid to start a relationship when you're going to go separate ways a little time later."

Hollie threw Emma her classic don't-be-stupid look. When she gave Emma that look, it usually meant that the next conversation was going to start with an 'Em, don't be stupid.'

"Em, don't be stupid," Hollie chided. "It is healthy to have relationships that aren't platonic. I'm not telling you to have sex with him, but is it such a bad idea to go out on dates and having fun with a really nice guy who really likes you?"

"When your time in the location you two live in has a deadline, then yes. It's a dumb idea to start a relationship now, Hollie."

Holland looked at her differently now, as if she were looking right through her. Emma shivered ever so slightly.

"Does this reluctance have to do with your mom?" She asked finally.

Emma's heart skipped a beat. You had to bring that up, didn't you? Instead of answering her question, she did what she was best at. Deflect. "Reluctance, that's a big word for you, Hollie." Emma said, acting impressed.